Multi-voltage multi-battery power management unit

ABSTRACT

A system and method for implementing a multi-voltage multi-battery power management integrated circuit. Various aspects of the present invention provide a power management integrated circuit. The power management IC may comprise a first regulator module that receives a first battery power signal from a first battery characterized by a first battery voltage and outputs a first regulated power signal, based at least in part on the first battery power signal. The power management IC may also comprise a second regulator module that receives a second battery power signal from a second battery characterized by a second battery voltage and outputs a second regulated power signal, based at least in part on the second battery power signal. The second battery voltage may, for example, be substantially different than the first battery voltage. The power first and second regulated power signals may, for example, correspond to substantially different power supply voltages.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application is related to and claims priority fromprovisional patent application Ser. No. 60/583,996, filed Jun. 29, 2004,and entitled “MULTI-VOLTAGE MULTI-BATTERY POWER MANAGEMENT UNIT,” thecontents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various components of electrical systems may utilize power at multiplevoltage levels. Power management circuitry may, for example, receivepower from a battery, or a plurality of batteries at a common voltage,and provide regulated output power to various system components. A powermanagement unit may, for example, utilize a power regulator integratedcircuit to regulate the output power. Such a power regulator integratedcircuit may, for example, output electrical power having desiredcharacteristics directly. Such a power regulator integrated circuit mayalternatively, for example, output electrical power signals that causeadditional power supply circuitry coupled to the power regulatorintegrated circuit to output electrical power having desiredcharacteristics.

Converting an input voltage to a regulated output voltage, particularlywhere there is a substantial disparity between the input voltage and theregulated output voltage, may result in energy-inefficient power supplyoperation. For example, various power supply circuit configurations(e.g., linear regulators and various switching regulators) haverespective energy-efficiency characteristics, which may depend on thepower regulation demands of a particular power regulation scenario.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, throughcomparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth inthe remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method for implementing a multi-voltage multi-battery powermanagement integrated circuit, substantially as shown in and/ordescribed in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forthmore completely in the claims. These and other advantages, aspects andnovel features of the present invention, as well as details ofillustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from thefollowing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary multi-battery system comprising a powermanagement integrated circuit, in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary multi-battery system comprising a powermanagement integrated circuit that comprises a charging module, inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method in a powermanagement integrated circuit for controlling output power based oninput power supplied from multiple batteries at multiple respectivevoltages, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method in a powermanagement integrated circuit for managing the power in multiplebatteries having multiple respective voltages, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method in a powermanagement integrated circuit for managing the power in multiplebatteries having multiple respective voltages, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary multi-battery system 100 comprising apower management integrated circuit 110, in accordance with variousaspects of the present invention. The system 100 may comprise any of alarge variety of system characteristics. For example and withoutlimitation, the system 100 may comprise characteristics of a portablecommunication system (e.g., a portable phone or portable e-mail device),a portable computing device, a portable media playing device, etc.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of a particular multi-batterysystem.

The following discussion may generally refer to one or more “modules”that perform various functions. It should be noted that a “module” maybe implemented in hardware, software or a combination thereof. Further,portions of modules may be shared. For example, a first module may sharevarious hardware and/or software components with a second module.Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present inventionshould not be limited by characteristics of a specific implementation ofa module or by arbitrary boundaries between modules.

The power management IC 110 (which may also be referred to herein as a“power management unit”) may comprise a first voltage regulator module120 coupled to a first battery 130. The first voltage regulator module120 may, for example, receive a first battery power signal 131 from thefirst battery 130. The first battery power signal 131 may becharacterized by a first battery voltage. Note that the first batterypower signal 131 may, for example, be processed by intervening circuitry(e.g., filter circuitry) between the first battery 130 and the firstvoltage regulator module 120. Such intervening circuitry, if it exists,may be internal or external to the power management IC 110.

The first voltage regulator module 120 may process the first batterypower signal 131 to generate a first regulated power signal 122. Thefirst regulated power signal 122 may, for example, correspond to a firstoutput power characterized by a first output voltage. Note that thefirst regulated power signal 122 may correspond to a first output powerin any of a variety of manners, three of which are illustrated in FIG.1.

For example, in the exemplary system 100 of FIG. 1, the first regulatedpower signal 122 is the same as the first output power, which iscommunicated to and utilized by the first load 128. In the exemplarysystem 100, the first voltage regulator module 120 outputs the firstregulated power signal 122 (and thus the first output power) withoutinteracting with electrical components external to the power managementIC 110. Two other non-limiting exemplary illustrations will be providedlater.

The first voltage regulator module 120 may comprise characteristics ofany of a variety of voltage regulator circuits. For example, the firstvoltage regulator module 120 may comprise characteristics of at least afront-end portion (if not a whole portion) of a linear voltageregulator, a switching regulator (e.g., a buck converter, boostconverter, buck-boost converter, charge pump, etc.), or other types ofknown or yet to be developed regulator circuits. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of voltage regulator circuit.

The first battery 130 may comprise characteristics of any of variety ofbatteries. For example and without limitation, the first battery 130 maycomprise communication and/or internal power regulation capability. Suchcommunication capability may, for example, comprise capability tocommunicate using an analog signal and/or digital data. The scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of battery.

The first load 128, and also the second load 148 and third load 168, maycomprise characteristics of any of a variety of power-consuming loads,depending on the nature of the system 100. For example and withoutlimitation, the first load 128 may comprise a microprocessor or memorydevice. The first load 128 may, for example, comprise a communicationcircuit or user interface circuit. The first load 128 may, for example,comprise a control circuit or sensor circuit. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of power-consuming load.

As illustrated by the dashed portion of the second battery power signal151, the first voltage regulator module 120 may also receive the secondbattery power signal 151 from the second battery 150. In a non-limitingexemplary scenario, the first voltage regulator module 120 may beadapted to process the second battery power signal 151 instead of (or inaddition to) the first battery power signal 131 (e.g., when the firstbattery power signal 131 is inadequate for the needs of the first powerregulator module 120 or other circuitry coupled thereto).

The exemplary power regulator IC 110 may also comprise a second voltageregulator module 140. The second voltage regulator module 140 may, forexample, receive a second battery power signal 151 from a second battery150. The second battery power signal 151 may be characterized by asecond battery voltage. The second battery voltage may, for example, besubstantially different than the first battery voltage discussedpreviously (e.g., the first and second batteries may be designed toprovide power at different respective voltage levels). Note that thesecond battery power signal 151 may, for example, be processed byintervening circuitry (e.g., filter circuitry) between the secondbattery 150 and the second voltage regulator module 140. Suchintervening circuitry, if it exists, may be internal or external to thepower management IC 110.

The second voltage regulator module 140 may process the second batterypower signal 151 to generate a second regulated power signal 142. Thesecond regulated power signal 142 may, for example, correspond to asecond output power characterized by a second output voltage. The secondoutput voltage may, for example, be substantially different than thefirst output voltage discussed previously (e.g., the first outputvoltage and second output voltage may be intended to supply power todifferent respective devices or different respective portions of adevice that have different respective voltage level requirements).

Note that the second regulated power signal 142 may correspond to asecond output power in any of a variety of manners, three of which areillustrated in FIG. 1. For example, as discussed previously with regardto the first regulated power signal 122, the second regulated powersignal 142 may be the same as the second output power, which iscommunicated to and utilized by the second load 148. In the exemplarysystem 100, the second voltage regulator module 140, in outputting thesecond regulated power signal 142 (and thus the second output power) tothe second load 148, interacts with external power circuitry 145. Suchexternal power circuitry 145 may comprise characteristics of any of avariety of power circuitry. For example and without limitation, thepower circuitry 145 may comprise various electrical components arrangedin a boost-converter configuration.

As shown by dashed lines in the exemplary system 100 of FIG. 1, thesecond voltage regulator module 140 may, for example, interact with theexternal power circuitry 145 through the line communicating the secondregulated power signal 142 and/or through one or more separate signallines. The scope of various aspects of the present invention should notbe limited by characteristics of any particular interaction between thesecond voltage regulator module 140 (or other voltage regulator modules)and external power circuitry.

As with the first voltage regulator module 120, the second voltageregulator module 140 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety ofvoltage regulator circuits. For example, the second voltage regulatormodule 140 may comprise characteristics of a linear voltage regulator, aswitching regulator (e.g., a buck converter, boost converter, buck-boostconverter, charge pump, etc.) or other types of known or yet to bedeveloped regulator circuits. Accordingly, the scope of various aspectsof the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of aparticular type of power regulator circuit.

The second battery 140 may comprise characteristics of any of variety ofbatteries. For example and without limitation, the second battery 140may comprise communication and/or internal power regulation capability.Such communication capability may, for example, comprise capability tocommunicate using an analog signal and/or digital data. The scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of battery.

As illustrated by the dashed portion of the first battery power signal131, the second voltage regulator module 140 may also receive the firstbattery power signal 131 from the first battery 130. In a non-limitingexemplary scenario, the second voltage regulator module 140 may beadapted to process the first battery power signal 131 instead of (or inaddition to) the second battery power signal 151 (e.g., when the secondbattery power signal 151 is inadequate for the needs of the second powerregulator module 140 or other circuitry coupled thereto).

The exemplary power regulator IC 110 may also comprise a third voltageregulator module 160. The third voltage regulator module 160 may, forexample, receive the second battery power signal 151 from the secondbattery 150. As mentioned previously, the second battery power signal151 may be characterized by a second battery voltage, which may, forexample, be substantially different than the first battery voltagediscussed previously. Note that the second battery power signal 151 may,for example, be processed by intervening circuitry (e.g., filtercircuitry) between the second battery 150 and the third voltageregulator module 160. Such intervening circuitry, if it exists, may beinternal or external to the power management IC 110.

The third voltage regulator module 160 may process the second batterypower signal 151 to generate a third regulated power signal 162. Thethird regulated power signal 162 may, for example, correspond to a thirdoutput power 166 characterized by a third output voltage. The thirdoutput voltage may, for example, be substantially different than thefirst and second output voltages discussed previously (e.g., the firstoutput voltage, second output voltage and third output voltage may beintended to supply power to different respective devices or differentrespective portions of a device that have different respective voltagelevel requirements).

Note that the third regulated power signal 162 may correspond to a thirdoutput power in any of a variety of manners, three of which areillustrated in FIG. 1. For example, as discussed previously with regardto the first regulated power signal 122, the third regulated powersignal 162 may be the same as the third output power and may bedeveloped entirely internal to the integrated circuit 110. Also forexample, as discussed previously with regard to the second regulatedpower signal 142, the third regulated power signal 162 may be the sameas the third output power and may be developed in conjunction withcircuitry external and tangential to the integrated circuit 110.

In the exemplary system 100, the third voltage regulator module 160outputs the third regulated power signal 162 to external power circuitry165, which in turn, outputs the third output power 166 to the third load168. Such external power circuitry 165 may comprise characteristics ofany of a variety of power circuitry. For example and without limitation,the power circuitry 165 may comprise various electrical componentsarranged in a buck-converter configuration.

As illustrated by the dashed portion of the first battery power signal131, the third voltage regulator module 160 may also receive the firstbattery power signal 131 from the first battery 130. In a non-limitingexemplary scenario, the third voltage regulator module 160 may beadapted to process the first battery power signal 131 instead of (or inaddition to) the second battery power signal 151 (e.g., when the secondbattery power signal 151 is inadequate for the needs of the third powerregulator module 160 or other circuitry coupled thereto).

As mentioned previously, the first, second and third exemplary voltageregulator modules 120, 140, 160 may interact with any of a variety ofpower circuitry external to the integrated circuit 110. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of any particular interaction between the thirdvoltage regulator module 160 (or other voltage regulator modules) andexternal power circuitry.

As with the first and second voltage regulator modules 120, 140, thethird voltage regulator module 160 may comprise characteristics of anyof a variety of voltage regulator circuits. For example, the thirdvoltage regulator module 160 may comprise characteristics of a linearvoltage regulator, a switching regulator (e.g., a buck converter, boostconverter, buck-boost converter, charge pump, etc.) or other types ofknown or yet to be developed regulator circuits. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of power regulator circuit.

In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, the first voltage regulator module120 may receive a first battery power signal 131 of approximately 2.5Vfrom the first battery 130 and output a first regulated power signal 122that corresponds to a first output power, which is characterized by afirst output voltage of 2.5V. In this example, the first regulated powersignal 122 corresponds to (and in fact, equals) the first output powerthat the first voltage regulator module 120 provides to the first load128. Also in this example, the first voltage regulator module 120 doesnot interact with power circuitry external to the power regulator IC 110to regulate the power provided to the first load 128.

Continuing the non-limiting exemplary scenario, the second voltageregulator module 140 may receive a second battery power signal 151 ofapproximately 1.1V from the second battery 150 and output a secondregulated power signal 142 that corresponds to a second output power,which is characterized by 1.2V. In this example, the second regulatedpower signal 142 corresponds to (and in fact, equals) the second outputpower that the second voltage regulator module 140 provides to thesecond load 148. Also in this example, the second voltage regulatormodule 140 interacts with external power circuitry 145 (e.g., componentsin a tangential boost-converter configuration) to regulate the powerprovided to the second load 148.

Continuing the non-limiting exemplary scenario, the third voltageregulator module 160 may receive the second battery power signal 151 ofapproximately 1.1V from the second battery 150 and output a thirdregulated power signal 162 that corresponds to a third output power 166,which is characterized by 1.0V. In this example, the third regulatedpower signal 162 corresponds to (but may not equal) the third outputpower 166 provided to the third load 168. Also in this example, thethird voltage regulator module 160 interacts with external powercircuitry 165 (e.g., components in an in-line buck-converterconfiguration) to regulate the power provided to the third load 168.

It should be noted that the exemplary system 100, including theexemplary power regulator IC 110, illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussedpreviously was presented to provide specific examples of generallybroader aspects of the present invention. For example and withoutlimitation, the voltage regulator modules 120, 140, 160 mayalternatively (or additionally) perform current regulation or regulationof other known aspects of electrical power. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of the exemplary system 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary multi-battery system 200 comprising apower management integrated circuit 210 that comprises a chargingmodule, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Theexemplary system 200 may, for example and without limitation, sharevarious characteristics with the exemplary system 100 illustrated inFIG. 1 and discussed previously.

For example, the first battery 230 and second battery 250 may sharevarious characteristics with the first battery 130 and second battery150 of the exemplary system 100 of FIG. 1. Also for example, the firstvoltage regulator module 220, second voltage regulator module 240 andthird voltage regulator module 260 may share various characteristicswith the first voltage regulator module 120, second voltage regulatormodule 140 and third voltage regulator module 160 of the exemplarysystem 100 of FIG. 1.

The exemplary system 200 may comprise a power management IC 210. Theexemplary power management IC 210 may, for example, comprise a chargingmodule 280. The exemplary charging module 280 may receive a third inputpower signal 271 from a power source 270. The third input power signal271 may, for example, be characterized by a third input voltage.

The power source 270 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety ofpower sources. For example and without limitation, the power source 270may comprise characteristics of an AC-to-DC power supply (e.g., pluggedinto a wall outlet). Further for example, the power source 270 maycomprise an automobile power source (e.g., plugged into a cigarettelighter socket or other automobile power outlet). The scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular power source 270.

The charging module 280 may, for example, process the third input powersignal 271 to generate a first battery-charging signal 281. The firstbattery-charging signal 281 may, for example, correspond to a firstcharging power utilized to charge the first battery 230. The firstbattery-charging signal 281 may, for example, correspond to the firstcharging power in a variety of manners. For example and withoutlimitation, the first battery-charging signal 281 may correspond to thefirst charging power in a manner similar to the manner in which aregulated power signal 122, 142, 162 from one of thepreviously-discussed voltage regulator modules 120, 140, 160 correspondsto a respective power output. For example, such correspondence may bebased on like identity, or such correspondence may be based on coupledand/or intervening electrical circuitry. In the exemplary system 200,the charging module 280 outputs the first battery-charging signal 281 tothe first battery 230. Note however, as mentioned previously, there maybe intervening circuitry between the charging module 280 and the firstbattery 230.

The charging module 280 may, for example and without limitation,comprise voltage regulation circuitry for generating the firstbattery-charging signal 281 (e.g., based on the third input power signal271). Such voltage regulation circuitry may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with the exemplary voltageregulator modules 120, 140, 160 of the exemplary system 100 illustratedin FIG. 1 and discussed previously. For example, such voltage regulationcircuitry may comprise characteristics of linear voltage regulatorcircuitry, switching regulator circuitry (e.g., a buck converter, boostconverter, buck-boost converter, charge pump, etc.), or other types ofknown or yet to be developed regulator circuitry. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of regulator circuitry.

The charging module 280 may, for example, process the third input powersignal 271 to generate a second battery-charging signal 285. The secondbattery-charging signal 285 may, for example, correspond to a secondcharging power utilized to charge the second battery 250.

The second battery-charging signal 285 may, for example, correspond tothe second charging power in a variety of manners. For example andwithout limitation, the second battery-charging signal 285 maycorrespond to the second charging power in a manner similar to themanner in which a regulated power signal 122, 142, 162 from one of thepreviously-discussed voltage regulator modules 120, 140, 160 correspondsto a respective power output. For example, such correspondence may bebased on like identity, or such correspondence may be based on coupledand/or intervening electrical circuitry. In the exemplary system 200,the charging module 280 outputs the second battery-charging signal 285to the second battery 250. Note however, as mentioned previously, theremay be intervening circuitry between the charging module 280 and thesecond battery 250.

The charging module 280 may, for example and without limitation,comprise voltage regulation circuitry for generating the secondbattery-charging signal 285 (e.g., based on the third input power signal271). Such power regulation circuitry may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with the exemplary voltageregulator modules 120, 140, 160 of the exemplary system 100 illustratedin FIG. 1 and discussed previously. For example, such power regulationcircuitry may comprise characteristics of linear voltage regulatorcircuitry, switching regulator circuitry (e.g., a buck converter, boostconverter, buck-boost converter, charge pump, etc.), or other types ofknown or yet to be developed regulator circuitry. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of regulator circuitry.

The charging module 280 may, for example, comprise a control interface288. The control interface 288 may, for example, receive control signalsrelated to the control of battery-charging signals. The charging module280 may, for example, process control signals received through thecontrol interface 288 to control various characteristics ofbattery-charging signals.

In the exemplary system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2, the charging module280 comprises a first control signal input Ctrl₁, through which theintegrated circuit 210 (e.g., the charging module 280) may receive afirst control signal 283 from the first battery 230 (or an alternativesource). The charging module 280 may then process the received firstcontrol signal 283 to control various characteristics (e.g., voltage) ofthe first battery-charging signal 281. Also in the exemplary system 200,the charging module 280 comprises a second control signal input Ctrl₂,through which the integrated circuit 210 (e.g., the charging module 280)may receive a second control signal 286 from the second battery 250 (oran alternative source). The charging module 280 may then process thereceived second control signal 286 to control various characteristics(e.g., voltage) of the second battery-charging signal 285.

The first and second control signals 283, 286 may comprise any of avariety of control signal characteristics. For example, the controlsignals 283, 286 may be analog signals. The control signals 283, 286may, for example, utilize analog signals to guide operation of thecharging module 280 (e.g., indicating a need for charging, indicating adesired voltage level or current level for charging, etc.). Also forexample, the control signals may be digital signals (e.g., comprisingcontrol data). For example, the first and second control signals 283,286 may comprise data signals that are multiplexed onto a singlecommunication line. The charging module 280 may then process thereceived control data to determine various characteristics of thebattery-charging signals 281, 285.

Note that as illustrated by the dashed line 272 between the power source270 and the charging module 280, the power source 270 may communicateone or more additional input power signals 272 that the charging module280 may utilize to generate one or more corresponding battery-chargingsignals. In a non-limiting exemplary scenario, the charging module 280may generate the first battery-charging signal 281 based on the thirdinput power signal 271 received from the power source 270 and generatethe second battery-charging signal 285 based on a fourth input powersignal 272 received from the power source 270.

Continuing the non-limiting exemplary scenario discussed in thediscussion of FIG. 1, the charging module 280 may receive a third inputpower signal 271 characterized by a voltage of approximately 2.5V fromthe power source 270. The charging module 280 may then (e.g., open loopor in response to a first control signal 283) generate a firstbattery-charging signal 281 characterized by 2.5V and provide the firstbattery-charging signal 281 to the first battery 230. The chargingmodule 280 may also (e.g., open loop or in response to a second controlsignal 286) generate a second battery-charging signal 285 characterizedby 1.1V and provide the second battery-charging signal 285 to the secondbattery 250.

The previous discussion generally focused on the charging module 280receiving the third input power signal 271 from the power source 270 andprocessing such signal 271 to generate first and second battery-chargingsignals 281, 285. As illustrated by respective dashed portions of thefirst battery power signal 231 and the second battery power signal 251,the charging module 280 may, in various non-limiting exemplaryscenarios, receive such power signals 231, 251 from the first battery230 and/or the second battery 250. For example, the charging module 280may process the first battery power signal 231 to generate the secondbattery-charging signal 285, or the charging module 280 may process thesecond battery power signal 251 to generate the first battery-chargingsignal 281. In other words, the charging module 280 may be adapted toexchange power (or energy) between the batteries 230, 250. In anon-limiting exemplary scenario, the charging module 280 may be adaptedto determine power needs (e.g., predetermined, empirically oranalytically) and battery power (or energy) levels or capacities (e.g.,predetermined, empirically or analytically), and determine when toperform such power exchanging.

It should be noted that the exemplary system 200, including theexemplary power regulator IC 210, illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussedpreviously was presented to provide specific examples of generallybroader aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope ofvarious aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of the exemplary system 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 300 in a powermanagement integrated circuit for controlling output power based oninput power supplied from multiple batteries at multiple respectivevoltages, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

The exemplary method 300 may begin at step 310. The exemplary method 300(and other methods illustrated herein) may begin for any of a variety ofreasons. For example, the method 300 may begin executing upon a systempower-up or reset. Also for example, the method 300 may begin executingin response to a command from a user, another system component oranother system. Further for example, the method 300 may begin upon theinsertion of a battery into a system implementing the method 300 or uponthe connection of a power supply to such a system. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of any particular initiating causes or conditions.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 320, comprise receiving a firstbattery power signal characterized by a first battery voltage from afirst battery. The exemplary method 300 may, at step 330, compriseoutputting a first regulated power signal, based at least in part on thefirst battery power signal, that corresponds to a first output power,which is characterized by a first output voltage. For example andwithout limitation, steps 320 and 330 may share various functionalcharacteristics with the exemplary first voltage regulator module 120 ofthe exemplary integrated circuit 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussedpreviously.

For example, the first battery may comprise characteristics of any ofvariety of battery types. For example and without limitation, the firstbattery may comprise communication and/or internal power regulationcapability. Such communication capability may, for example, comprisecapability to communicate using an analog signal and/or digital data.The scope of various aspects of the present invention should not belimited by characteristics of a particular type of battery.

Step 330 may, for example, comprise processing the first battery powersignal (e.g., as received at step 320) to generate and output the firstregulated power signal. The first regulated power signal may, forexample, correspond to a first output power characterized by a firstoutput voltage. Note that the first regulated power signal maycorrespond to a first output power in any of a variety of manners, someof which were discussed previously with regard to the exemplary system100 of FIG. 1. For example, the first regulated power signal may be thesame signal as the first output power. Also for example, the firstregulated power signal may be processed by intervening circuitry,tangential circuitry or other circuitry coupled to the power managementintegrated circuit. Such intervening, tangential or coupled circuitrymay, for example as discussed previously, comprise characteristics ofany of a variety of power circuits (e.g., regulator circuitry, filtercircuitry, etc.).

Step 330 may, for example, comprise generating the first regulated powersignal using any of a variety of circuitry. For example and withoutlimitation, step 330 may comprise generating the first regulated powersignal using at least a front-end portion (if not a whole portion) ofvarious regulator circuitry. Such regulator circuitry may, for example,comprise linear regulator circuitry, switching power supply circuitry(e.g., buck converter circuitry, boost converter circuitry, buck-boostconverter circuitry, charge pump circuitry, etc.), or other types ofknown or yet to be developed regulator circuitry. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of circuitry that may be utilizedto implement step 330.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 340, comprise receiving a secondbattery power signal characterized by a second battery voltage from asecond battery, wherein the second battery voltage is substantiallydifferent than the first battery voltage. The exemplary method 300 may,at step 350, comprise outputting a second regulated power signal, basedat least in part on the second battery power signal (e.g., as receivedat step 340), that corresponds to a second output power, which ischaracterized by a second output voltage. The second output voltage may,for example, be substantially different than the first output voltagediscussed previously with regard to step 330.

For example and without limitation, steps 340 and 350 may share variouscharacteristics with exemplary steps 320 and 330, and may share variousfunctional characteristics the exemplary second voltage regulator module140 of the exemplary integrated circuit 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 anddiscussed previously.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 360, comprise outputting a thirdregulated power signal, based at least in part on the second batterypower signal (e.g., as received at step 340), that corresponds to athird output power, which is characterized by a third output voltage.The third output voltage may, for example, be substantially differentthan the first and second output voltages discussed previously withregard to steps 330 and 350.

For example and without limitation, step 360 may share variouscharacteristics with exemplary steps 330 and 350, and may share variousfunctional characteristics the exemplary third voltage regulator module160 of the exemplary integrated circuit 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 anddiscussed previously.

The exemplary method 300 may, at step 370, comprise performing continuedprocessing. Step 370, and other continued processing steps discussedherein, may comprise performing any of a large variety of continuedprocessing. For example and without limitation, step 370 may comprisedirecting execution flow of the exemplary method 300 back up to step 320for continued processing. Step 370 may alternatively, for example,comprise directing execution flow of the exemplary method 300 back up tostep 320 in response to an event (e.g., a timeout event or receivedsignal). Step 370 may, for example, comprise performing additionalprocessing related to the output regulated power signals and/or otheroutput signals. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the presentinvention should not be limited by characteristics of any particularcontinued processing.

It should be noted that the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3and discussed previously was presented to provide specific examples ofgenerally broader aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of the exemplary method 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 400 in a powermanagement integrated circuit for managing the power in multiplebatteries having multiple respective voltages, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 400 mayshare various functional aspects with the exemplary charging module 280of the power management integrated circuit 210 illustrated in FIG. 2 anddiscussed previously.

The exemplary method 400 may, for example and without limitation, beimplemented in the same power management integrated circuit with theexemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and discussed previously. Forexample, exemplary method 400 and exemplary method 300 may beimplemented in the same power management integrated circuitsimultaneously.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 420, comprise receiving inputpower from a power source. The input power may, for example, becharacterized by an input voltage. The power source may comprisecharacteristics of any of a variety of power sources. For example andwithout limitation, the power source may comprise characteristics of anAC-to-DC power supply (e.g., plugged into a wall outlet). Further forexample, the power source may comprise an automobile power source (e.g.,plugged into a cigarette lighter socket or other automobile poweroutlet). The scope of various aspects of the present invention shouldnot be limited by characteristics of a particular power source.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 430, comprise generating a firstbattery-charging signal, based at least in part on the received inputpower (e.g., received at step 420), where the first battery-chargingsignal corresponds to first charging power utilized to charge a firstbattery.

The first battery-charging signal may, for example, correspond to thefirst charging power in a variety of manners. For example and withoutlimitation, the first battery-charging signal may correspond to thefirst charging power in a manner similar to the manner in which aregulated power signal 122, 142, 162 from one of thepreviously-discussed voltage regulator modules 120, 140, 160 correspondsto a respective power output signal. For example, such correspondencemay be based on like identity, or such correspondence may be based ontangential, intervening, or other coupled electrical circuitry. In otherwords, there may (but not necessarily) be intervening circuitry betweenthe first battery-charging signal and the first charging power that isutilized to charge the first battery.

Step 430 may, for example and without limitation, comprise utilizingvoltage regulation circuitry for generating the first battery-chargingsignal. Such voltage regulation circuitry may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with the exemplary voltageregulator modules 120, 140, 160 of the exemplary system 100 illustratedin FIG. 1 and discussed previously. For example, such voltage regulationcircuitry may comprise characteristics of linear voltage regulatorcircuitry, switching regulator circuitry (e.g., a buck converter, boostconverter, buck-boost converter, charge pump, etc.), or other types ofknown or yet to be developed regulator circuitry. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of voltage regulator circuitry.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 440, comprise generating a secondbattery-charging signal, based at least in part on the received inputpower (e.g., as received at step 420). Step 440 may, for example andwithout limitation, share various characteristics with step 430discussed above.

In the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, step 440 bases thesecond battery-charging signal on the input received at step 420. Note,however, that step 440 may alternatively comprise generating the secondbattery-charging signal based, at least in part, on received input powerthat is different than the input power received at step 420.

The exemplary method 400 may, at step 450, comprise outputting the firstand second battery-charging signals (e.g., as generated at steps 430 and440). Step 450 may comprise outputting the battery-charging signals to avariety of devices. For example and without limitation, step 450 maycomprise outputting the battery-charging signals directly to respectivebatteries. Also for example, step 450 may comprise outputting thebattery-charging signals to charging circuitry external to the powermanagement integrated circuit, where the charging circuitry, in turn,generates and provides charging power to the respective batteries. Thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby a particular immediate destination for the battery-charging signalsoutput by step 450.

It should be noted that the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4and discussed previously was presented to provide specific examples ofgenerally broader aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of the exemplary method 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an exemplary method 500 in a powermanagement integrated circuit for managing the power in multiplebatteries having multiple respective voltages, in accordance withvarious aspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 500 mayshare various characteristics with the exemplary method 400 illustratedin FIG. 4 and discussed previously, and with various functional aspectsof the exemplary charging module 280 of the power management integratedcircuit 210 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.

The exemplary method 500 may, for example and without limitation, beimplemented in the same power management integrated circuit with one orboth the exemplary methods 300, 400 illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 anddiscussed previously. For example, exemplary method 500 and exemplarymethods 300 and 400 may be implemented in the same power management ICsimultaneously.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 520, comprise receiving inputpower from a power source. Exemplary step 520 may, for example andwithout limitation, share various characteristics with step 420 of theexemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed previously.

Execution of the exemplary method 500 may, for example, proceedsimultaneously on parallel paths, each of which starts at steps 530 and560, respectively. Note that this is an exemplary flow, and suchsimultaneity is by no means required. Further for example, suchsimultaneity, or portions thereof, may only be pseudo-simultaneous(e.g., processing on each parallel path may share processing resourcesin a time-sharing implementation). Accordingly, the scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a simultaneous or pseudo-simultaneous implementation.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 530, comprise receiving a firstcontrol signal from a source external to the power management integratedcircuit, where the first control signal is related to charging a firstbattery. For example and without limitation, step 530 may comprisereceiving such a control signal through a control interface (e.g., suchas exemplified by the control interface 288 illustrated in FIG. 2 anddiscussed previously).

As discussed previously with regard to the exemplary system 200illustrated in FIG. 2, the first control signal may comprise any of avariety of control signal characteristics. For example, the firstcontrol signal may be an analog signal. The first control signal may,for example, comprise an analog signal utilized to guide operation of acharging module (e.g., indicating a need for charging, indicating adesired voltage or current level for charging, etc.). Also for example,the first control signal may comprise a digital signal (e.g., comprisingcontrol data). For example, the first control signal may comprise a datasignal that is multiplexed onto a single communication line with one ormore other digital signals (e.g., a second control signal). In general,the first control signal may comprise any of a variety of control signalcharacteristics. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of thepresent invention should not be limited by any particular signalcharacteristics.

The source from which the first control signal is received may compriseany of a variety of sources. For example, step 530 may comprisereceiving the first control signal from the first battery. Also forexample, step 530 may comprise receiving the first control signal fromcircuitry associated with the charging of the first battery (e.g., powermonitor circuitry or power control circuitry). The scope of variousaspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular source for the first control signal.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 540, comprise generating a firstbattery-charging signal based, at least in part, on the first controlsignal (e.g., as received at step 530). For example, the firstbattery-charging signal may correspond to first charging power beingutilized to charge the first battery. Exemplary step 540 may, forexample and without limitation, share various characteristics with step430 of the exemplary method 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussedpreviously.

Additionally, step 540 may comprise processing the received firstcontrol signal to control various characteristics (e.g., voltage) of thefirst battery-charging signal. For example, in an exemplary scenariowhere the first control signal comprises information (e.g., analog ordigital information) indicative of a voltage level received by the firstbattery, step 540 may comprise determining characteristics of the firstbattery-charging signal that will result in the first battery receivinga particular voltage level.

Step 540 may, for example and without limitation, comprise utilizingvoltage regulation circuitry for generating the first battery-chargingsignal. Such voltage regulation circuitry may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with the exemplary voltageregulator modules 120, 140, 160 of the exemplary system 100 illustratedin FIG. 1 and discussed previously. For example, such voltage regulationcircuitry may comprise characteristics of linear voltage regulatorcircuitry, switching regulator circuitry (e.g., a buck converter, boostconverter, buck-boost converter, charge pump, etc.), or other types ofknown or yet to be developed regulator circuitry. Accordingly, the scopeof various aspects of the present invention should not be limited bycharacteristics of a particular type of voltage regulator circuitry.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 550, comprise outputting the firstbattery-charging signal. Exemplary step 550 may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with step 450 of the exemplarymethod illustrated in FIG. 4 and discussed previously.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 560, comprise receiving a secondcontrol signal from a source external to the power management integratedcircuit, where the second control signal is related to charging a secondbattery. Exemplary step 560 may, for example and without limitation,share various characteristics with step 530 discussed previously. Forexample, the second control signal may comprise analog controlinformation and/or digital control information. Further for example, thesecond control signal may be multiplexed or otherwise combined with thefirst control signal discussed previously.

The exemplary method 500 may, at step 570, comprise determining a secondbattery-charging signal based, at least in part, on the second controlsignal. Exemplary step 570 may, for example and without limitation,share various characteristics with step 540 discussed previously. Theexemplary method 500 may, at step 580, comprise outputting the secondbattery-charging signal. Exemplary step 580 may, for example and withoutlimitation, share various characteristics with step 550 discussedpreviously.

It should be noted that the exemplary method 500 illustrated in FIG. 5and discussed previously was presented to provide specific examples ofgenerally broader aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, thescope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limitedby characteristics of the exemplary method 500.

In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide a systemand method for implementing a multi-voltage multi-battery powermanagement unit. While the invention has been described with referenceto certain aspects and embodiments, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents maybe substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from itsscope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited tothe particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will includeall embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A power management integrated circuit comprising: a first voltage regulator module that operates to receive a first battery power signal characterized by a first battery voltage from a first battery and output a first regulated power signal, based at least in part on the first battery power signal, that corresponds to a first output power characterized by a first output voltage; and a second voltage regulator module that operates to receive a second source power signal characterized by a second source voltage from a second source and output a second regulated power signal, based at least in part on the second source power signal, that corresponds to a second output power characterized by a second output voltage, wherein the second source voltage is different from the first battery voltage, and wherein the first battery and the second source are characterized by different respective nominal voltage levels.
 27. The integrated circuit of claim 26, further comprising a battery-charging module that operates to, at least: receive input power from a power source; and output a first battery-charging signal, based at least in part on the received input power, that corresponds to first charging power at a first charging voltage utilized to charge the first battery.
 28. The integrated circuit of claim 27, further comprising a control interface through which the integrated circuit operates to receive a first control signal from monitor circuitry and related to the first battery-charging signal, wherein the battery-charging module operates to determine the first battery-charging signal based at least in part on the first control signal.
 29. The integrated circuit of claim 27, further comprising a control interface through which the integrated circuit operates to receive first control data from monitor circuitry and related to the first battery-charging signal, wherein the battery-charging module operates to determine the first battery-charging signal based at least in part on the first control data.
 30. The integrated circuit of claim 26, further comprising a third voltage regulator module that operates to receive a third source power signal characterized by the second source voltage from the second source and output a third regulated power signal, based at least in part on the third source power signal, that corresponds to a third output power characterized by a third output voltage.
 31. The integrated circuit of claim 30, where the third output voltage, second output voltage and first output voltage are different from each other.
 32. The integrated circuit of claim 26, where the second output voltage is different from the first output voltage.
 33. The integrated circuit of claim 26, where the first regulated power signal comprises the first output power characterized by the first output voltage.
 34. The integrated circuit of claim 26, where the first regulated power signal, when applied to an external electrical circuit coupled to the integrated circuit, causes the external electrical circuit to output the first output power.
 35. The integrated circuit of claim 26, where the first output power and the second output power are simultaneously and independently provided to separate loads.
 36. In a power management integrated circuit, a method for controlling electrical power, the method comprising: receiving a first battery power signal characterized by a first battery voltage from a first battery; outputting a first regulated power signal, based at least in part on the first battery power signal, that corresponds to a first output power characterized by a first output voltage; receiving a second source power signal characterized by a second source voltage from a second source, wherein the second source voltage is different from the first battery voltage; and outputting a second regulated power signal based at least in part on the second source power signal, that corresponds to a second output power characterized by a second output voltage, wherein the first battery and the second source have different respective nominal voltage levels.
 37. The method of claim 36, comprising: receiving input power from a power source; generating a first battery-charging signal, based at least in part on the received input power, that corresponds to first charging power at a first charging voltage utilized to charge the first battery; and outputting the first battery-charging signal.
 38. The method of claim 36, comprising: receiving a first control signal from monitor circuitry external to the integrated circuit; determining the first battery-charging signal based, at least in part, on the first control signal; and outputting the first battery-charging signal.
 39. The method of claim 37, comprising: receiving first control data from a source external to the integrated circuit; determining the first battery-charging signal based, at least in part, on the first control data; and outputting the first battery-charging signal.
 40. The method of claim 36, comprising: receiving a third source power signal characterized by the second source voltage from the second source; and outputting a third regulated power signal, based at least in part on the third source power signal, that corresponds to a third output power characterized by a third output voltage.
 41. The method of claim 40, wherein the third output voltage, second output voltage and first output voltage are different from each other.
 42. The method of claim 36, wherein the second output voltage is different from the first output voltage.
 43. The method of claim 36, wherein the first regulated power signal comprises the first output power characterized by the first output voltage.
 44. The method of claim 36, wherein the first regulated power signal, when applied to an external electrical circuit coupled to the integrated circuit, causes the external electrical circuit to output the first output power.
 45. The method of claim 36, wherein the first output power and the second output power are simultaneously and independently provided to separate loads. 